Stephen Miller says Iranian officials are 'desperate' to strike a deal with Trump after escalation

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said Tuesday that some Iranian officials are "desperate" to strike a deal with the Trump administration amid renewed strikes and escalating U.S. pressure on Tehran.

"There are elements in the country, in the government, that are desperate to make a deal with the United States," Miller said.

"And we entered into an agreement that the Iranians violated, they attacked commercial shipping through this strait, and President Trump made clear: 'You do not cross the United States, you do not violate an agreement with the United States. You do not break your word with President Trump or America, and you attack shipping in violation of that agreement, and you will pay a hellish price,' and that is what has happened," he added.

TRUMP SAYS IRAN CEASEFIRE IS 'OVER' AFTER IRANIAN ATTACKS TRIGGER MASSIVE US RESPONSE

Miller's remarks come as the Trump administration has resumed strikes against Iran following the collapse of a ceasefire that the White House says Iran violated by attacking commercial shipping.

Miller argued Tehran had grown accustomed to testing previous U.S. leaders without facing consequences but said Iranian leaders "made one vital mistake" by assuming they could do the same under Trump.

"They forgot that Donald Trump is the president of the United States," Miller said.

TRUMP HAS 3 CHOICES TO DEFINE VICTORY IF HE WANTS TO BEAT IRAN. NONE OF THEM ARE EASY

"One way or another, whether it be through bombing, whether it be through the blockade, whether it be through economic strangulation, whether it be through global pressure brought to bear, any or all of these things, one way or another, this country, this regime, will ultimately be forced to change its ways."

Miller later said the administration believes the apparent divisions inside Iran are evidence that the president's strategy is succeeding.

"For 47 years, there wasn't an inch of daylight. There wasn't any crack," Miller said. "Now you have this giant canyon-sized fissure as the country is fighting amongst itself for its future."

Miller reiterated the administration's objective of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, arguing that the regime must abandon its nuclear ambitions before lasting peace can be achieved.